The two male contestants ousted from reality TV show Big Brother for alleged sexual misconduct have labelled the incident a practical joke that has been "blown out of proportion".Channel Ten interrupted its regular programming on Monday night to air a five-minute interview with 20-year-old "Ashley" and "John", respectively Michael Cox, 20, and Michael Bric, 21.They had not spoken publicly since their removal from the Big Brother compound, on the Gold Coast, over the weekend that was prompted by an early morning incident in which "Ashley" forced his crotch into female housemate Camilla Halliwell’s face.Footage of the incident was streamed live over the TV show’s website, sparking calls for the show to be axed "It was just a practical joke and Camilla knew this," Ashley told Big Brother compere Gretel Killeen."We were mucking around, having a good time, and obviously we didn’t intend on hurting Camilla in any way."Obviously she has been a little bit hurt."The pair said they had lived with Camilla for more than two months, since the beginning of Big Brother 2006, and they had developed a very comfortable and familiar relationship."We only ever intended to have a bit of fun with Camilla … there was never any intention to hurt Camilla. It was mucking around," John also said. Ashley said they "maybe didn’t read Camilla properly" in terms of whether the incident would make her feel uncomfortable, that they regretted it and were sorry "If I could turn back time I definitely wouldn’t do it … it has ended my Big Brother experience and obviously has put a sour note on my whole entire journey through the seventy days," John said.They also commented on the media storm created by the incident, which has resulted in criticism from Prime Minister John Howard down Ashley said: "I also saw the tabloids and what has been said about us … it’s a massive mix-up and we’re so sorry about it all". John said: "It was a massive shock to wake up and read what was said in the headlines … because this is so not what we are. We are good blokes and we really do treat women with respect."This is an incident that has been blown way out of proportion."The pair said they had been in a 48-hour "lock-down", managed by the show’s producers, following the incident and they were keen to be reunited with family and friends. John said he would also be "trying to convince the people out there, only an intended joke that has been taken out of proportion and we really are good people, and it’s a shame it had to end this way".
AAP
